1080 mkv files, which filesize is easiest for the cpu to play?

[quartz0]

I don't know exactly how it works, I'm guessing a small filesize will require more cpu power to decode the image, and a larger filesize requires less, because more of the image is already 'there' ?

So with a low power system (AMD based PC), a large filesize would be better for smooth playback?

 

[Zorander]

The larger the file is (and hence the corresponding video bitrate to decode), the more CPU power is required.

What exactly is the AMD system in question? Most modern systems, including AM3-based ones, can easily play 1080p MKV material, even more so when GPU-accelerated playback is enabled.

 

[quartz0]

ah ok thanks. So bigger filesize isn't less unpacking required, it's more detail presented to the cpu/gfx card to work on. Right now an athlon xp3000+/geforce 7600GS agp, I think going to an i3-2100 soon (i3-2105 seems to have faster graphics, but cant find it in UK searches)

 

[Zorander]

athlon xp3000+/geforce 7600GS agp,

That CPU is indeed not good enough to decode 1080p materials (I know since my old 4600+ X2 failed miserably with them as well).

I don't know if the 7600GS has built-in H264 decoder (probably not, based on this guide, but give it a shot nonetheless). If you really need to, you could obtain a more recent AGP card that supports this feature but their value-for-money usually sucks.

With GPU acceleration, your CPU usage will hover between 3-10% (versus 100% without) and playback will be perfectly smooth.

 

[quartz0]

thank you, do you know how to make sure h264 is enabled in the nvidia control panel ? (or vlc/media player). i think the best way forward from here is new motherboard

 

[DirkGently1]

thank you, do you know how to make sure h264 is enabled in the nvidia control panel ? (or vlc/media player). i think the best way forward from here is new motherboard

VLC/MPC-HC will play back HD movies on your system, but it won't be hardware accelerated. Whether the CPU is up to the job will depend upon the Bitrate of the movie. If it's too high it might chunder along.

Try it for yourself and see how you get on!

 

[vshah]

a mobo upgrade and a low end pcie video card (i use a radeon 5450 in my htpc) will let you play just about anything.

 

[imagoon]

To give a reference: My Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 machine is my Tversity transcoding box. While this is not exactly the same as just watching the video, I needed to overclock the chip to 3.0ghz and force it to use the updated FFMPEG codecs to keep the CPU [both cores] in the 85-95% range when pushing to an Xbox360. The XP3000+ is generations behind and 2.16ghz so I would not expect that to work at all.

 

[Zorander]

thank you, do you know how to make sure h264 is enabled in the nvidia control panel ? (or vlc/media player). i think the best way forward from here is new motherboard

Give the quoted guide a go and see if you have DXVA working. You will see DXVA displayed on the bottom of the player, if it does, and your CPU usage will be amazingly low.

Otherwise, a more recent AGP card (e.g. HD4650) will give you video acceleration, if at a premium.

However, keep in mind GPU acceleration does not work with the relatively new Hi10-encoded H264 materials (most others are 8-bit stuff). Unless you are viewing anime fansubs (where Hi10-encoding has become quite common), you are unlikely to encounter them elsewhere though.

Cheers!

 

[epuigvros]

Try CoreAVC, it's one of the fastest H264 software decoders:

http://corecodec.com/products/coreavc

It worked quite well with my old system.

 

[joutlaw]

An i3-2100 with play anything I have thrown at it @1080p.

 

[pauldun170]

Athlon +7600gs AGP - Will not play 1080MKV file satisfactory
Neither have the decode on it nor will they be able to brute force it.
I wouldn't recomend hunting down AGP cards that will handle it.
The ones that were released were both problematic and its not advisable to put anymore money into that system.

A cheapo pentium g530 ($34 at microcenter) , h61 board + 4gb ram would come out to $100-$120 and handle the job